New to ducks...

[SierraChickens]

Hi, I just acquired 2 runner ducks. One is a week old the other is 6 days old. I am new to ducks, so I would like to know what should be in their setup, and what it should look like. Also, can they be in this little kennel, I have in the attached photo. Also (again)... when do I put a little place to swim in there kennel or when do I start indroducing it. Also (AGAIN!)...how do I get them freindly. Im going to stop rambling. Just throw at me whatever advice and info you got about raising ducks, Thanks!

 

[SierraChickens]

I was going to use the kennel, but it seemed when I was testing it out thet could get though the spacing, so I swapped the bunny and the ducks. So the ducks are going to be in the bunny cage.

 

[CayugaJana]

Hello and

I hope you love ducks as much as we do here. And I hope you are prepared for a mess if they are in the house. Ducks love love love wet messes. I call them the pigs of birds.

A kennel will be ok for a couple weeks but you will find they quickly outgrow it. What is the weather like in your neck of the woods? Are you going to buy a coop or build? If you buy one my best advice is find one that sits on the ground. Not high off the ground because they likely won’t climb to get in it.

 

[SierraChickens]

Well I live in southern, fl. There has onlt beed one incident of a bobcat in my neighborhood. That was 1 year ago. We are going to build something. I have 2 penkin ducks, but I got them when they were older, so they dont like me. Right now they are living with the pig.

 

[Jpat]

cover the sides up about 6 inches i swear they press their rear up and poo through the grates

 

[happyduckygal]

I would not leave a swimming area out for them or you will find yourself cleaning up behind them multiple times a day. They will make a big enough mess out of their drinking water. I think a week old is a perfect time to introduce them to swimming, it will come natural to them, very fun to watch. What I do with mine is fill up the sink (I have a deep sink) or use the bathtub and let them swim around once a day. Don't forget as babies they should have fairly warm water to swim in and you should put them right back under the heat lamp afterwards or if you would like to leave them out to play I'll pat them dry with a paper towel.

 

[SierraChickens]

UPDATE
1 of the runner ducks died, unsure why. But, we know have 5 muscovies and the 1 runner duck (I heard they were more hardy then the runners). They are about 2 and a half weeks old. They are inside without a hear lamp. Wondering when they are going to be able to go outside without a heat lamp (I live in southern Florida Btw). Also could I put these little ones in with my bantams while we build them a bigger more duck like coop?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am sorry you lost one of your Runners.

I wouldn't put your 2.5 week old Muscovy ducklings in with chickens even bantams. Chickens can peck hard and young ducklings wouldn't be much of a match. But if you can make a area inside you coop with temp fencing that might work . Duckling do need warmth though so hopefully your night time temps are still in the 80's